Worcester educator named Holyoke school superintendent

Sergio Paez, the Worcester public schools manager of English language learners and supplemental support services, has been chosen as the next school superintendent of Holyoke public schools.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said the School Committee voted 7-3 tonight to name Mr. Paez the next head of the city's school district. In a second vote, Mr. Paez, who was among three finalists for the position, received the unanimous endorsement of the committee, Mr. Morse said.

He said the fact that Mr. Paez has high expectations and has had success improving the test scores of English language learners, was important for a district where approximately 72 percent of students are English language learners.

Mr. Morse said among the challenges that await Mr. Paez is a high school graduation rate of 52.8 percent. The district has an enrollment of 5,782 students, with a graduation rate for English language learners of 23.1 percent.

“He was a breath of fresh air … He inspires people to do better,” said Mr. Morse who was among a contingent of Holyoke officials who came to Worcester for a site visit and was impressed in interviews with teachers and staff who worked for Mr. Paez.

“He has the energy … the spirit to bring people together,” Mr. Morse said.

A resident of Leominster, Mr. Paez will have to move to Holyoke within a year of assuming the superintendent job on July 1. He has worked in Worcester since 2007.

He said he was excited and called the appointment to superintendent a “life changing experience.”